* * *
After all, William had gone out of his way to assist Edwin in his love life, yet Edwin offered him nothing in return.
“Well then, I’ll see you at the ball.”
Henry left with a faintly amused smile, closing the door behind him.
Outside, he shook his head.
“You’re really not going to help him?”
“Who? Summoning Hook, you mean?”
“Yes. It’s the first time I’ve seen His Highness so eager to meet someone.”
Edwin handed the box to a family knight trailing behind them.
The knight, catching on, discreetly withdrew with it.
“He’s probably used to meeting people who are desperate for his attention. Hook’s indifference must feel novel to him. Perhaps that’s why he’s so eager.”
“Or maybe his feelings are genuine.”
“You think His Highness truly has feelings for Hook?”
“Yes. Just as we do, perhaps His Highness has genuinely fallen for Hook.”
Edwin placed the envelope into Henry’s hand, the phrase “just as we do” bringing a small smile to Henry’s lips as he tapped the envelope lightly.
“Well, since he gave us such a wonderful opportunity, I suppose I’ll help him out this once.”
Though he had been adamant in refusing William’s pleas, it only took a few words from Edwin to sway Henry.
Had William sought Edwin’s aid from the start, things might have gone much smoother—but, of course, the Crown Prince hadn’t anticipated that.
Late at night, Duke Timothy and Henry sat across from each other.
What had begun as a solitary drink for the duke turned into shared company when Henry joined him.
Quiet and peaceful, Henry occasionally refilled the duke’s glass when it ran empty.
“Let me pour you a drink as well.”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Henry shook his head, sliding his glass aside.
Watching this, Duke Timothy raised his own glass without pressing further.
Though drinking alone, he found the atmosphere pleasant with Henry’s presence.
“Today, His Highness gave me two gifts.”
“The Crown Prince seems to care deeply for you both.”
“He does. To be honest, I didn’t expect him to pay attention to certain details.”
Though he had maintained a composed demeanor earlier, Henry now expressed his genuine thoughts.
“He’s infuriated me countless times, but this is the first time he’s shown such thoughtfulness.”
“Be careful with such remarks. Never say anything like that outside.”
“Of course, I’m mindful of my words.”
“Even so, you sometimes act unpredictably, and I worry.”
The duke shook his head, exasperated, while Henry deflected with a light chuckle.
He knew admitting to already having spoken his mind to the Crown Prince would only earn him scolding, and he hadn’t come here for that.
Opting to keep things brief, he picked up the bottle again.
“So, is that why you came? To tell me about the gifts?”
“No. I came to ask if you could move up the wedding date for Edwin and me.”
The smile faded as Henry broached the real reason for his visit.
“We’ve already set a date with the Duke of Lorrenst. You want to change it?”
“Yes. Preparations are mostly complete, so adjusting the date shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Duke Timothy mulled over his son’s request.
As Henry had said, moving the date wouldn’t pose significant challenges.
“Still, there is one concern.”
“You’re referring to notifying others of the change, correct?”
“Exactly. While most people are aware of your engagement, there are individuals you’ll need to personally visit and inform. If time is too tight and they only receive written notices, it may come across as disrespectful.”
The people Duke Timothy referred to were the elders and those who had maintained a close relationship with the ducal family over many years.
Since most of them were older, simply sending a piece of paper would be seen as discourteous.
Henry, however, seemed unbothered and promptly proposed a solution.
Taking the envelope Edwin had handed him, he placed it where his father could see it clearly and spoke with a smile.
“This is one of two gifts from His Highness, the Crown Prince. To celebrate my marriage with Edwin, the Imperial Family will host a ball.”
As Duke Timothy picked up the envelope to check its contents, Henry added,
“During the imperial ball, we will formally announce to everyone that we are getting married.”
Though rumors had already begun to spread quietly during the wedding preparations, making an official announcement was a different matter entirely.
Hence, Henry planned to use the imperial ball as an opportunity to make it public.
After reading the brief text on the invitation, Duke Timothy seemed to grasp his son’s intentions and resumed sipping his drink.
Though his son lacked charm, he had caused plenty of amusing incidents over the years, making it entertaining to observe him.
As expected, Henry never allowed for a dull moment. What an adorable son he had—or so he thought until now.
“And what is the reason you’re rushing this marriage so much?”
For the first time, Henry hesitated to answer his father’s question.
Then, as if steeling himself for a major confession, he revealed his secret.
“I’m pregnant.”
Duke Timothy, shocked, dropped his glass of liquor.
Forget calling him adorable. Cancel that.
Unaware of his father’s gaping mouth, Henry reached over and pulled back the glass his father had set aside.
Not to drink from it, but to have something to fidget with as he tried to hide his embarrassment.
Tracing the rim of the glass with his fingertip, Henry recalled the moment he got pregnant…
Trapped between the wall and Edwin, Henry tilted his head back as their kiss deepened.
Edwin’s tongue invaded his mouth, tangling with his, stealing his breath away.
As Henry’s breathing grew labored, he patted Edwin’s shoulder.
“Edwin, wait a moment.”
“We haven’t even started yet.”
The words sounded absurd after countless kisses, but at the same time, they weren’t entirely untrue.
Despite the heat between them, they had done nothing but kiss so far.
Edwin nipped gently at Henry’s lower lip before turning his head to press their lips together again, pushing his tongue inside.
No matter how many times they kissed, Edwin always devoured Henry’s lips with the same fervor as if it were their first time.
Feeling overwhelmed, Henry repeatedly hit Edwin’s shoulder, pleading for some reprieve.
When Henry let out a weak, strained groan as if he couldn’t take any more, Edwin reluctantly pulled away, though not without trailing his tongue along Henry’s lips in a way that left him unsatisfied.
“What’s wrong?”
Lifting Henry’s chin, Edwin studied his flushed face.
His cheeks were tinged red, his breathing uneven, and his lips swollen.
Everything about him screamed vulnerability, making Edwin want to dive back in, but he restrained himself and gently stroked Henry’s back, trying to calm him down.
However, his hand unconsciously slid lower, brushing against the curve of Henry’s waist and grazing his hips.
“It’s strange…”
Leaning against Edwin, Henry took a deep breath.
The thick scent of Edwin’s pheromones lingered in the air, melting him from the inside.
“Your pheromones are way too strong.”
Since earlier, Edwin’s pheromones had been unusually potent, suffusing the air and making it hard for Henry to breathe.
No matter how deeply he inhaled, the air seemed heavy, saturated with Edwin’s scent.
“Try lowering your pheromone output a bit.”
Edwin looked puzzled at Henry’s comment but closed his eyes and focused, attempting to draw back his pheromones.
If doing so could ease Henry’s discomfort, he was willing to try.
Finally catching a moment to relax, Henry leaned his head against the wall and stared at Edwin’s face.
With Edwin standing so close, there was little else to focus on, but honestly, there was nothing more captivating to see than Edwin himself.
As he watched, Henry noticed how the usually sharp lines of Edwin’s features seemed to blur, softened by the intoxication of his own pheromones.
His sharp eyes turned hazy, and his once tidy lips became flushed and slightly parted.
Seeing Edwin lose his composure, knowing he was the cause, brought Henry an odd sense of pride, further igniting the heat within him.
But then, Henry frowned, feeling something off.
* * *
This suck I want to read this too the pop up is annoying too guess I had to leave this site and find another alternative